Determining that the countries in the MENA Region should work together to comply with these standards and those measuresto enhance the fight against ML/TF in the region through the creation of an effective system which countries need to implement according to their particular cultural values, constitutional frameworks and legal systems,

Accordingly, at an inaugural Ministerial Meeting held in Manama, Bahrain on the 30th of November 2004, the Governments of 14 countries decided to establish MENAFATF as a FATF Style Regional Body (FSRB).

It was agreed that the headquarter of this body will be in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

The MENAFATF is voluntary and co-operative in nature and is established by agreement between its members. It does not derive from an international treaty. It is independent of any other international body or organization and sets its own work, rules and procedures. Its work, rules, and procedures will be determined by consensus between its members and it will co-operate with other international bodies, notably the FATF to achieve its objectives. Read More . . . .